甲

Reading

Kana: こう

Romaji: kou

Definitions

noun

1

carapace; shell

2

1st in rank; grade A

3

instep; back of hand

4

the A party (e.g. in a contract); the first party; plaintiff (label in legal documents)

See also: 乙 (reading おつ, entry #1)

Kanji

甲

Readings: コウ、 カン、 きのえ

Meanings: armor, high (voice), A grade, first class, former, instep, carapace

Example Sentences

甲(かぶと)の薬(くすり)は乙(おつ)の毒(どく)。

➥One man's medicine is another man's poison.

亀(かめ)の甲(こう)より年(とし)の功(こう)。

➥Experience without learning is better than learning without experience.

甲(かぶと)の食物(しょくもつ)は乙(おつ)の毒(どく)。

➥One man's meat is another man's poison.

甲(かぶと)の損(そん)は乙(おつ)の得(とく)。

➥One man's gain is another man's loss.

甲斐甲斐(かいがい)しく働(はたら)く。

➥Work like a bee.

苦心(くしん)の甲斐(かい)があった。

➥That was well worth the trouble.